36 arrested in Medicare scams totaling $251M

MIAMI - Federal authorities are conducting the largest Medicare fraud bust ever, with raids in five states leading to the arrests of dozens of suspects.

Several doctors and nurses were among those authorities hoped to arrest Friday in Miami, New York City, Detroit, Houston and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Authorities said 36 people had been arrested as of Friday morning.

They are accused of charging Medicare for unnecessary equipment, physical therapy and HIV infusions that patients typically never received. Ninety-four suspects were indicted.

They are accused of stealing more than $251 million in separate scams.